Vincent Collet, the head coach of the French national team, was pleased with his team’s performance at the start of the EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers.
France defeated Croatia 73-61 in Brest, starting the EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers on the right foot.
“The defense was solid. From that perspective, there are reasons to be satisfied. We know it’s easier to set up defense in a short time than offense, but despite everything, it has to be done, and it requires engagement.
That has been the goal from the very beginning, that this is actually a launching pad for this summer and it has to start with finding the defense that we didn’t have at the beginning.
We made 21 assists and scored 73 points, which means there’s a desire to share the ball. However, despite everything, there was a lack of collective speed. We were often a bit stagnant and held onto the ball for too long.
We need a bit more time together for greater continuity and collective speed, but we’ll try to improve that by Monday (France plays away in Tuzla on Monday)” – said Vincent Collet.
He really showed some great things
Talented Zacchari Risacher left the court with a bloody face:
“At first glance, it’s not so bad. Nevertheless, it will be checked because there is a protocol, it’s stitched up. Let’s say it’s a small risk of the job and part of the learning process. It’s a bit unfortunate for his first match in the national team to get injured so quickly. He is a young man with a lot of talent.
He really showed some great things. In all the training sessions we were able to do here in Brest, he was at a high level. Unfortunately, we can’t judge him based on the few minutes he played. He would have played more if he hadn’t received that unfortunate blow as soon as he entered the second half.”
Risacher will not travel with the national team to Tuzla, and he is expected to be replaced by Paris basketball player Nadir Hifi.